Male Birth God, ca. 1426–1292 B.C.E. Faience, 1 5/16 x 5/8 in. (3.4 x 1.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.580.13. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.580.13_top_PS20.jpg)
Male Birth God, ca. 1426–1292 B.C.E. Faience, 1 5/16 x 5/8 in. (3.4 x 1.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.580.13. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.580.13_bottom_PS20.jpg)
Male Birth God
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
The Birth-God
Over time, the image of the Egyptian birth-god underwent an evolution.
During the Middle Kingdom and at the beginning of the Eighteenth Dynasty, the male birth-god appeared as a lion-man: a human man with a feline mane and tail. Around the middle of the dynasty, the Egyptians sought to combat an increase in infant mortality with a new amuletic form. Beginning with Amunhotep II (circa 1426–1400 B.C.E.), the birth-god’s body assumed the characteristics of a dwarf with short, thick limbs, sunken chest, and fleshy buttocks. Because dwarfs rarely survived infancy in antiquity, one who did was considered magical. By combining the attributes of these “charmed” dwarfs with the ancient lion-man, craftsmen produced a new, more powerful protector of women and children.
Over time, the image of the Egyptian birth-god underwent an evolution.
During the Middle Kingdom and at the beginning of the Eighteenth Dynasty, the male birth-god appeared as a lion-man: a human man with a feline mane and tail. Around the middle of the dynasty, the Egyptians sought to combat an increase in infant mortality with a new amuletic form. Beginning with Amunhotep II (circa 1426–1400 B.C.E.), the birth-god’s body assumed the characteristics of a dwarf with short, thick limbs, sunken chest, and fleshy buttocks. Because dwarfs rarely survived infancy in antiquity, one who did was considered magical. By combining the attributes of these “charmed” dwarfs with the ancient lion-man, craftsmen produced a new, more powerful protector of women and children.
MEDIUM
Faience
DATES
ca. 1426–1292 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
middle Dynasty 18 to late Dynasty 18
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
1 5/16 x 5/8 in. (3.4 x 1.6 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
16.580.13
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father Charles Edwin Wilbour
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Green faience figure of Bes standing, as inlay (?). Lion head, knees bent with hands resting on hips. Back plain and slightly convex.
Condition: Good.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
Male Birth God, ca. 1426–1292 B.C.E. Faience, 1 5/16 x 5/8 in. (3.4 x 1.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.580.13. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.580.13_top_PS20.jpg)
IMAGE
top, 16.580.13_top_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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